It
is said that when the
GODS left there footprints on the
land of
HARIDWAR, Metaphorically they also left an
indelible mark the spritual ethos of every HINDU-MORE So, the DEVOUT, who
would later follow their holy paths all across the BLESSEDLAND. HARIDWAR
stands as the gateway to the four
PIIGRIMAGES OF UTTRACHAL,
Uttarakhand. Mentioned as
MAYAPURI, GANGADWAR MOKSHADWAR
in the ancient scriptures and eplcs,
HARIDWAR has always
remain as major SHAKTIPEETH for the devotees. Of such significance
HARIDWAR
in the thought of india's traditional
HINDU’S that it
has earned its sobriquet of honour,
‘THE GATEWAY OF THE GODS’.
Legend has it that
Bhagiratha, brought the
Ganges
into the earth, and into this point where his ancestors were burnt to ashes
by the curse of the sage Kapila. Kapilastaan, a spot in
HARIDWAR
is pointed to as Kapila's hermitage.
HARIDWAR was once
known as
Gangadwara.
Haridwar (and Rishikesh)
represents the gateway to the
Himalayan pilgrimage shrines of
Badrinath and Kedarnath.
The pilgrimage to the
Himalayan shrines begins only when
the sun reaches the zodiac sign of Aries.
HARIDWAR is also
the site of celebration of the
Kumbha Mela, once in twelve
years, when Jupiter transits to the zodiac sign of Aquarius.
The five sacred bathing spots in
Haridwar are Gangadwara, Kankhal,
Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha and Kusavarta. The main ghat at
HARIDWAR is known as
Hari-ki-Pairi (known
for a footprint of
Vishnu on a stone in a wall). Nearby is
the
Gangadwara temple, the most important of the several
temples that dot this town. The
Ganga Aarti which is
celebrated at 7 pm each night, is a spectacular sight, when the aarti
ceremony is performed at all temples in
Haridwar at the
same instant (see image above). Hundreds throng to the ghats at
Hari-ki-Pairi
to participate in this festival. Offerings of lamps and flowers
are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving
sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.
Near
Haridwar are the towns of
Mayapuri
and
Kankhal. Kankhal houses the
Daksheswara
temple, said to be the site of
Daksha's yagna,
which was destroyed by Shiva.
